Richard K. Blackwell named Developer of the Year
August 17, 2015
SENECA, SC – The Oconee Economic Alliance’s executive director, Richard K. Blackwell, was chosen by his peers as this year’s “Regional/Local Economic Developer of the Year.” The award was announced at the Upstate SC Alliance’s Mid-Year meeting, held in Greenville on August 12, 2015. This award recognizes the accomplishments and dedication of the economic development professional in the Upstate who has made a significant difference in their community.
Blackwell has played a critical role in the growth in Oconee County and re-organizing the economic development efforts of the county. Since joining the Oconee Economic Alliance, the organization has announced over 900 jobs and $185 million in capital investments from new companies, as well as existing industries. In 2014, the Oconee Economic Alliance announced more jobs than in the four previous years combined and was named as a Top Micropolitan Economic Development Group of the Year by Site Selection Magazine.
“Richard is very much deserving of this honor,” stated Glenn Buddin, Chairman of the Oconee Economic Alliance. “He works extremely hard to position Oconee for economic development success and it is great others recognize the efforts.”
Blackwell began his current position in Oconee County in April 2012. Blackwell has worked in various capacities within politics, government relations and local economic development since 1998. Blackwell has earned the “SC Certified Economic Developer” (SCCED) certification through the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and the South Carolina Department of Commerce in 2013. He recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (OU EDI).
Oconee Economic Alliance
The Oconee Economic Alliance is a public-private nonprofit effort to accelerate job creation and capital investment, increase per capita income, diversify the local tax base and generate awareness of Oconee County, South Carolina as a business location. To learn more, please visit www.InvestOconeeSC.com. ~
